ITAL, also spelled I-TAL (/ˈaɪtɑːl/ ), is food often celebrated
by those in the
Rastafari movementRastafari movement . It is compulsory in the Nyabinghi
mansion though not in the Twelve Tribes of Israel or Remi mansions .
The word derives from the English word "vital", with the initial "v"
removed. This is done to many words in the
Rastafari vocabularyRastafari vocabulary to
signify the unity of the speaker with all of nature. The expression of
ItalItal eating varies widely from Rasta to Rasta, and there are few
universal rules of
ItalItal living.

The primary goal of adhering to an
ItalItal diet is to increase Livity ,
or the life energy that
RastafariRastafari generally believe lives within all
human beings, as conferred from the Almighty. A common tenet of
RastafariRastafari beliefs is the sharing of a central Livity among living
things, and what is put into one's body should enhance Livity rather
than reduce it. Though there are different interpretations of ital
regarding specific foods, the general principle is that food should be
natural, or pure, and from the earth;
RastafariRastafari therefore often avoid
food which is chemically modified or contains artificial additives
(e.g., colour , flavourings , and preservatives ). Some also avoid
added salt in foods, especially salt with the artificial addition of
iodine , while pure sea or kosher salt is eaten by some. In strict
interpretations, foods that have been produced using chemicals such as
pesticides and fertilizer are not considered ital. Early adherents
adopted their dietary laws based on their interpretation of several
books of the
BibleBible , including the
Book of GenesisBook of Genesis ("Then God said, "I
give you every Seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and
every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for
food." (Genesis 1:29)), the books of
LeviticusLeviticus and
Deuteronomy . Along
with growing dreadlocks and the sacramental smoking of ganja ,
observing a vegetarian diet is one of the practices early Rastafari
adopted from Indian indentured servants living in Jamaica. Rastafari's
founder
Leonard Howell , affectionately called "Gong" and "Gyangunguru
Maragh", though not of Indian descent, was fascinated with Hindu
practices and was instrumental in promoting a plant-based diet in the
RastafariRastafari community of
PinnaclePinnacle .

VEGETARIANISM

Most expressions of the
ItalItal diet include adherence to a strict
vegetarian diet . This is based in part on the belief that since meat
is dead, eating it would therefore work against Livity elevation. It
is also practiced because as strict adherents to natural living,
RastafariRastafari often believe the human being is a natural vegetarian based
on human physiology and anatomy. Some adherents to
ItalItal diets are
strict vegans , as they do not consider dairy to be natural for human
consumption either.

The most strict interpretations also avoid the consumption of rock
salt (sea salt can be substituted), and food that has been preserved
by canning or drying , and even prohibit the use of metal cooking
utensils . In this case, only clay and wood cooking pots , crockery ,
and cutlery are used. Few adherents of ital follow the strictest
interpretation; some
RastafariRastafari do not adhere to them at all.

RastafariRastafari do not approve of excessive alcohol consumption. However
they can drink alcohol in moderation as long as it does not reach a
level that clouds the mind or reduces their livity. Most Rastafari
disapprove of cigarettes due to the serious health concerns associated
with their use, and many
RastafariRastafari avoid coffee and other caffeinated
beverages, though this is less common. In fact some
RastafariRastafari grow
their own coffee, sugar, and chocolate .